Technical

SOLAR Thermal Pyramids

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Web Editor

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November 19, 2025

What, you might understandably ask, has doing the weekly wash in sub-Saharan Africa got in common with having a hot shower on the UK inland waterways system? IN both instances, it’s about an affordable form of hot water… in fact, extremely affordable, given that the sun doesn’t send a bill! SolarisKit is a company established…
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River Canal Rescue releases engine alignment training ‘how to’ video

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Scootering Web Editor

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July 26, 2024

RCR ‘how to…’ videos River Canal Rescue has released its second ‘how to…’ video on YouTube, giving engine alignment training. Fronted by RCR standards and ethics executive, Kerry Horton, he explains how to see if an engine is out of alignment, where adjustments can be made, the difference between radial and angular alignment and how…
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RCR posts ‘how to…’ videos

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Scootering Web Editor

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June 16, 2024

With longer and lighter days prompting more boaters to cruise the inland waterways, River Canal Rescue is posting ‘how to’ videos on YouTube, sharing practical tips on how to keep engines and components running smoothly. The first video covers stern glands, discussing adjustment and packing replacement (the latter when no alignment is needed). Fronted…
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Before you make that journey

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Scootering Web Editor

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April 3, 2024

The team at River Canal Rescue helps to get you ready for the first cruise of the season with some useful tips and advice… WITH an early Easter this year, you may have already cranked up your engine and undertaken the first cruise of the season. If that’s the case – how prepared were you…
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Tech advice: Keeping your boat safely afloat

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Web Editor

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December 20, 2023

AS WE experience the wetter months, it’s important to give your boat a thorough safety check and familiarise yourself with all its workings, writes Stephanie Horton of River Canal Rescue. This may sound obvious, but do you really know how your boat has been built, where important items of equipment and machinery are located and…
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Time for a tidy up of tired paintwork

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Web Editor

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April 5, 2022

The weather’s looking up and it’s a great time to get those pressing jobs done on the boat. One job that many owners undertake as a DIY project is the external painting of the narrowboat/widebeam topsides and cabin shell. In the short term this can really brighten up a vessel and make a massive instant…
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Towpath Technical Tips: Getting ready for 2022!

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Janet Richardson

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January 6, 2022

Sound advice from Ben Sutcliffe-Davies FIRSTLY happy new year to all our readers, I really can’t believe another year has gone.From my last article about winter preparation we certainly have had a variety of bad weather and before we turn the corner to spring I’m sure we will still have some more snow and gales.…
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Preparing your boat for winter

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Janet Richardson

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October 21, 2021

FOR many of us this year with all the covid restrictions, whether you use you craft for leisure or as a liveaboard, the coming of winter mustn’t be ignored. So laying up is something I was involved with right from the start of my boatbuilding apprenticeship. Getting ready for winter is like a squirrel storing…
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What to do if your boat runs aground

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Mark Lancaster

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October 3, 2021

RIVER Canal Rescue recently warned boaters about the risks of grounding after receiving a high number of call-outs. Over the last few months rescue co-ordinators have been giving on the phone assistance to at least one person a day, and while many callers are then able to move their boats, around 40% require support from…
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Gas safety on boats

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Janet Richardson

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September 7, 2018

STAYING safe on board is vital and ahead of Gas Safety Week, running from September 17-23. BWML Boat Mooring have created a poster to keep people safe on the water. From looking out for the warning signs of a gas leak to the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, the safety poster is tailored to those…
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How to test your batteries and use a multi-meter

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Janet Richardson

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June 16, 2017

TESTING battery voltage is not something the everyday boat owner would undertake, however, being able to test your own batteries gives you an insight into many things. The readings gained from checking your battery voltage, for example, can tell you whether the gauges on your ignition panel are correct or how long you need to…
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New plastic reinforced trims and seals

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Janet Richardson

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March 30, 2017

SEALS + Direct Ltd, a leading UK supplier to the marine industry of rubber and PVC seals and trims, has just launched a new range of plastic reinforced clip-on edge trims/seals. These complement their existing range of steel reinforced sections, but have beneficial advantages, especially when used in  wet environments. The new trims use a…
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What’s in the bottom of your fuel tank?

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Janet Richardson

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February 28, 2017

THIS winter has seen high levels of condensation and with fuel tanks that have not been kept full, created the happiest environment for the diesel bug – water. Each spore reproduces 260,000 times every six hours and dies within 48 hours. As it decomposes it gels, blocking the in-line filters and will cause even worse…
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Check your gas locker for corrosion

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Janet Richardson

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February 28, 2017

Ben Sutcliffe-Davies has more than 35 years’ experience in the marine industry, including boat building in timber, GRP, steel and aluminium. An accredited member of the Yacht Designers and Surveyors Association (YDSA) and an associate member of the International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS), he is also a full member of British Marine and the…
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